Ontario College Certificate in Blasting Techniques
Start Dates:
September 2018
The two-semester Blasting Techniques Ontario College Certificate is the only program of its kind in Canada. This is a highly practical, hands-on program, in a rapidly growing industry.
Program Highlights
Fascinated by the explosives industry? Do you like to work outdoors, and in challenging environments? If so, you may be interested in exploring a career as a blaster. With our well-developed connections with industry and our specialized resources and drilling compound, students get the hands-on training necessary for their career in blasting.
- Blasters fill blast holes with explosives and detonate them to dislodge coal, ore, rock, or aggregate, or to demolish structures.
- Blasters are employed by construction, mining, and drilling and blasting companies, as well as in the special effects industry.
- You will focus on three types of explosive cuts, and incorporate a wide range of skills in science, mathematics, and communications.
- Courses include explosives, blasthole drilling, blasting theory, blast design, geology, safety and accident prevention, and environmental issues.
You will spend much of your time in labs, field classes and field assignments, and refining your skills in our state-of-the-art drilling and blasting training centre.
NEW! Students who start the Blasting Techniques program in May and successfully complete the program, have the option to enter the second semester of the Resources Drilling Technician program in January and complete both programs in a total of 5 semesters (20 months).
Why Choose Fleming
Fleming's Blasting Techniques certificate has several advantages upon completion:
- You will have common core training as a Surface Miner as required by the Ministry of Labour to enter most blasting sites.
- Upon graduation, you will have the option of certifying with the International Society of Explosives Engineers (ISEE) in Quarrying, Basic Construction Blasting, and the Fundamentals of Blasting (Level One).
- Another option upon graduation is to expand your career and job opportunities by continuing at Fleming College in the Resources Drilling Technician diploma program, with direct entry into the program's second semester (subject to availability).
Is this You?
- An enjoyment of working outdoors/ hands-on work
- Good motor skills
- Physical health
- Flexibility (particularly regarding hours of work)
- Communication/interpersonal skills
- Mechanical aptitude
- Ability to plan and organize activities
- Problem solving skills
- Ability to work independently
- Computer skills
Career Opportunities
Job opportunities are very good across many sectors and several provinces, including Ontario. With many blasters nearing retirement, there is an urgent need to replace these skilled individuals. Job titles include construction blaster, openpit blaster, and surface mining blaster. Blasters work closely with drillers and often perform both drilling and blasting activities. The annual salary range for a blaster/driller is $35,000 - $62,000, depending upon experience and certification. Fully qualified surface blasters make up to $40.00 per hour. Blasting assistants earn $18 - $25 per hour at the entry level. There are good opportunities for career advancement in this field with training and experience. Specialized areas of blasting such as underground blasting have higher pay scales.
Program Format
Blasting Techniques is a two-semester program. Students who start in September complete first semester in December, start second semester in January and complete the program in late April. Students who start in May complete first semester in August, begin second semester in September and complete the program in December.
Blasting Techniques graduates who choose to continue their studies in the Resources Drilling Technician program start semester two of this program in either May or January.
Mature Students
If you are 19 years of age or older before classes start, and you do not possess an OSSD, you can write the Canadian Adult Achievement Test to assess your eligibility for admission.
Minimum Admission Requirements
Students applying to Blasting Techniques must meet the following requirements:
- OSSD with majority of credits at the Workplace (E) level including Gr 12 (E)English
Where Workplace level courses are listed, C, U and M courses will be accepted.
For programs requiring a majority of credits at the Workplace level, OLC4O will be counted as an acceptable English course.
Tuition Detail
Tuition and ancillary fees are subject to change without notice. The fees presented below reflect Fall start programs only for the current academic year. For details about the fee differences for other program start dates please refer to the Tuition Details chart below.
View complete tuition details
Domestic Students
| Semester 1 | Amount |
|---|---|
| Alumni Fee | $14.33 |
| Frost Recreation Building Fund | $15.00 |
| Health Plan | $248.50 |
| Information Technology Fee | $97.85 |
| Lindsay Recreation Complex Fee | $45.20 |
| Lindsay Transit Fee | $38.00 |
| Mental Health Fee | $13.00 |
| Program Supply Fee | $89.00 |
| Student Activity Fee | $104.71 |
| Student Assistance (Tuition) | $591.02 |
| Student Association Transition Fee | $2.50 |
| Student Athletic Fee | $65.00 |
| Student Building Fee | $35.00 |
| Student Services Support Fee | $94.02 |
| Tuition | $3,022.89 |
| Total | $4,476.02 |
| Semester 2 | Amount |
|---|---|
| Alumni Fee | $14.33 |
| Frost Recreation Building Fund | $15.00 |
| Information Technology Fee | $97.85 |
| Lindsay Recreation Complex Fee | $45.20 |
| Lindsay Transit Fee | $38.00 |
| Mental Health Fee | $13.00 |
| Student Activity Fee | $104.71 |
| Student Assistance (Tuition) | $591.02 |
| Student Association Transition Fee | $2.50 |
| Student Athletic Fee | $65.00 |
| Student Building Fee | $35.00 |
| Student Services Support Fee | $94.02 |
| Tuition | $3,022.89 |
| Total | $4,387.02 |
The fees above are for the current academic year for domestic students. Please note that the fees reflect the Health Plan and Integrated Transportation (Sutherland Programs only) charges for the fall entry point. These charges are applied up front and provide service coverage for a full year September to August. The charges for the winter and spring terms are as follows:
| Health Plan | Intergrated Transportation | Coverage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter | $180.50 | $255.50 | January to August |
| Spring | $129.50 | $142.35 | January to August |
International Students
| Semester 1 | Amount |
|---|---|
| Alumni Fee | $14.33 |
| Frost Recreation Building Fund | $15.00 |
| Information Technology Fee | $97.85 |
| International Education Fee (Tuition) | $1,800.00 |
| International Health Plan | $704.58 |
| International Tuition | $6,150.00 |
| Lindsay Recreation Complex Fee | $45.20 |
| Lindsay Transit Fee | $38.00 |
| Mental Health Fee | $13.00 |
| Program Supply Fee | $89.00 |
| Student Activity Fee | $104.71 |
| Student Association Transition Fee | $2.50 |
| Student Athletic Fee | $65.00 |
| Student Building Fee | $35.00 |
| Student Services Support Fee | $94.02 |
| Total | $9,268.19 |
| Semester 2 | Amount |
|---|---|
| Alumni Fee | $14.33 |
| Frost Recreation Building Fund | $15.00 |
| Information Technology Fee | $97.85 |
| International Education Fee (Tuition) | $1,800.00 |
| International Tuition | $6,150.00 |
| Lindsay Recreation Complex Fee | $45.20 |
| Lindsay Transit Fee | $38.00 |
| Mental Health Fee | $13.00 |
| Student Activity Fee | $104.71 |
| Student Association Transition Fee | $2.50 |
| Student Athletic Fee | $65.00 |
| Student Building Fee | $35.00 |
| Student Services Support Fee | $94.02 |
| Total | $9,179.19 |
The fees above are for the current academic year for international students. Please note that the fees reflect the Health Plan and Integrated Transportation (Sutherland Programs only) charges for the fall entry point. These charges are applied up front and provide service coverage for a full year September to August. The charges for the winter and spring terms are as follows:
| Health Plan | Intergrated Transportation | Coverage | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter | $645.82 | $255.50 | January to August |
| Spring | $263.60 | $142.35 | January to August |
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